Last Updated March 28, 2022
For people who want to start a new life in a country with new opportunities, emigrating to Canada is one of the most popular steps to take. Canada has a set plan to accept and welcome as many as 430,000 new residents this year in 2022 – and, with a view to facilitating that, has one of the smoothest and most streamlined immigration processes anywhere in the world.
The most popular way of accessing Permanent Residence (PR), which is a formalizing process that bestows on you the same rights as native Canadian citizens, is through Express Entry. For a step-by-step guide on how to complete a Canada PR application, continue reading below…
Step 1: Find Your National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Jobs are divided into five categories/ skill levels such as NOC 0, A, B, C and D and various NOC codes. To find out your own NOC, the best bet is to visit the official governmental website and search for your occupation on their page related to NOC. If your specific job doesn’t show up, look for the closest approximation and it is best to consult a professional to select the right NOC Code.
Step 2: Get Your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Assuming your educational credentials were not gained in Canada, your qualifications will need to be assessed on how they compare to an equivalent Canadian credential. If your highest education is completed inside Canada, no ECA report is required. You need to apply to a relevant body recognized by IRCC to have your credential assessed.
Step 3: Take An English and/or French Language Test
Your suitability for Express Entry will take into account your ability to speak and understand English (and possibly French). You need to sit for a language exam even though your first language is English or French.
Step 4: Check Your Eligibility For Express Entry
Express Entry to Canadian permanent residence is offered based on a points system. The points are allocated based on educational attainment, employment history, age, language ability, etc.
Step 5: Find Out Your Comprehensive Ranking System score (CRS)
The CRS is a system designed to test your ability to economically support yourself once you’re in Canada. It is much easier to achieve a qualifying score if you have attained a Provincial Nomination, which is awarded based on a province’s need for relevant skills and occupational abilities.
Step 6: Create Your Express Entry Profile
On the Come to Canada portal, you can confirm your eligibility for Express Entry and then fill out your profile. You will be asked a series of questions and will be given an indication of whether you appear to be eligible, and given a code that you then use to begin your profile. You must by this stage have completed language test(s) and an ECA, as you need to enter your scores in your profile. This profile will be used to issue an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Step 7: Receive An Invitation To Apply
Assuming that you have scored highly enough on the CRS, you will be issued an ITA and can then begin filling out the relevant forms and collating your supporting evidence. You have 60 days from your ITA to complete your application. Some documents like Police Certificates, work reference letters, etc may take a longer time to obtain, so it is best to start collecting these documents in advance when you know your CRS is high and you may receive an ITA.
Step 8: Await Confirmation
Once you have applied for Permanent Residence, the process can take up to six months to complete. Assuming that all of the data is in order, this will end with you being issued your notice of Permanent Residence. You can now finalize your preparations and begin the process of coming to, and settling in, Canada.